Job Offers - Plural

In December Michael got a job offer from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. It was insultingly low for the industry. He politely told them no.

I thought at the time.... my gosh, how do you say no?? But alas the wisdom of my husband prevailed. We now are debating two schools.

Otterbein College and Coastal Carolina University
Columbus, OH vs. Myrtle Beach, SC
more money and guaranteed summer teaching opportunities, vs less money for 9 months, but great possible summer money (15% of salary!!) and great moving benefit
4 distinct seasons vs. beach
state capital with university culture available vs. resort and tourism
higher risk professional situation but nearly guaranteed tenure and growth vs. stable nearly static department without definite tenure goals

We should have 3 offers, but the co-chair problems continue. Namely the fact that no dissertation defense date has been set in stone. Nothing is actually on the calendar. Although it is understood that none of these offers will materialize, should the PhD process actually fall through. Hartford in their ad said "....dissertation must be defended by 5/31/08 for the academic 2008/09 school year position...." The Dean called today and said, "we're sorry, it came down to you and another candidate. That candidate has a date... you do not".

Needless to say - Michael is hot. He's been held up for 2 years on this process, but now he's being held up for his career.... he's ticked.

At least we have options. I feel Columbus calling our name - what is that area code??

Have a good night!!

Well check doctor's visit

Yes, we actually had a WELL CHECK!! and Rachel was well for it.

She had her 9 month check up.

Clear ears, clear lungs, clear skin ... no hives, no wheezing, no anti-biotics!

She' 18.6 pounds, and 27 1/4 inches.

The doctor is moving her to a more milk based formula and said she can start moving to table foods... slowly.

Job hunt update

Michael is home for a while - thankfully. He's down to three schools - maybe four. I've listed them in his preference - but I would swap 1 and 2.... personally. Any of them would be fine. I hope something pans out. I can't do this much longer. Living in the NOW and keeping life going in our house, school, work... AND playing the "what if" game is mentally straining.

Hartford, CT - Michael really likes the prospects of Hartford University. The school and the city and the area are his ideal. Plus a train ride to NYC. A train ride to Boston. A vacation in Maine... etc. However, he doesn't think that his interview went terribly well. Not horrible - like they said "no chance". But he felt that the chemistry was a little off.... not clicking. He thinks they will pay well though.

Columbus, OH - Otterbein College - it is a division III school. It is smaller and they LOVE him. Columbus is close to Cincinati, Cleveland... there is NBA, NFL, MLB, etc... all the benefits of a big city - symphony, ballet... it is the state capital... they have Ohio State University. At the school every person on the faculty that met with him sent HIM a thank you note. His presentation went well. His visit went well. Our fear is that they won't pay very well though.

Myrtle Beach, SC - Coastal Carolina University - the school liked him, he liked the school. Unfortunately he feels that due to it being a resort area, it doesn't have a big city base of culture. He's worried about the impact on the kids - not having many. The school liked him enough to set up a visit with a real estate agent. He thinks they won't pay too hot either.

We will see!!!

Oh My Gosh....

Jacob has strep.

Rachel is sick, again... yes, really

The short story is that she's sick.

The long story is that when I took her to daycare on Thursday, I told them she'd had a long night of coughing Wednesday. Well the cough got worse all day. I picked her up and before leaving the daycare called the doctor on my cell phone. Of course I got the answering service, but left my name/number for them to call in the morning. I know from experience that the service faxes the office all the messages and they return them in the order received. I figured 5:20 gave me a good chance of being first in the morning!! Well at home last night, she threw up and ran a fever of 102+. I was up most of the night checking… Tylenol, pedialyte, Tylenol, formula, Tylenol, humidifier….

The doctor says she's got acute broncilitis - and an ear infection that hasn't gone away. She's got a nebulizer (a pink slug bug model) that she'll need breathing treatments 3 times a day for a month. And a continuation of her anti-biotic. She got a shot at the doctor's office to help break up the lung stuff - and a breathing treatment. We just got home, fed her and she's sleeping peacefully.